A spokesperson for Britain's Got Talent has shut down rumours of a pay row between the judges.
Earlier this week, claims emerged that Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon had agreed to leave their judging roles on the ITV talent show in a bitter dispute over their wages.
However, the rumours have now been squashed as the BGT team insist Amanda, Alesha, and Simon were all 'delighted' to return to the show and welcome new judge Bruno Tonioli onto the judging panel.
A Britain's Got Talent Spokesperson told The Mirror: “Simon, Amanda, Alesha and Ant and Dec were delighted to welcome Bruno to the Britain’s Got Talent family yesterday for the first day of auditions for 2023.
"The opening day’s contestants featured some fantastic auditions and the rapport between the judges - including newcomer Bruno - was fun and immediate. This bodes well for a very successful new series."
It comes after reports claimed that longtime panellists Amanda and Alesha were 'seething' over the fact newcomer Bruno was to start his first season on the talent contest on the same wage as the pair.
And such was their apparent their discontent, it was claimed that they were willing to walk away from the show all together as they looked to make a stand against the decision.
Filming for the latest series of the competition began on Tuesday, but just a day earlier Alesha, 41, and Amanda, 51, were said to be locked in discussions over their pay packet.
Sources had claimed the pair were in agreement to exit the show in the stand-off talks before being persuaded to stay by ITV bosses.
It's thought that the pay did receive a pay rise, but were more interested in making a principle stand for woman.
An ITV insider told The Sun : "Alesha and Amanda were deeply upset, understandably, by reports that Bruno was being signed up for more money than them. Between them they have almost three decades of experience, and are the very backbone of BGT.
"Both were fully prepared to walk if, as women, they were paid less than the men."
The source went on to claim their decision wasn't money-driven, but was more to do with the principle of the contracts. They said the pair were "consummate props" and were more interested in making a stand for women in the industry to ensure fair pay at all times.
On his first day of filming, 67-year-old Bruno admitted he was "emotional and nervous" about making his bow.
Introducing him at the London Palladium to Rocky soundtrack Eye of the Tiger, host Declan Donnelly said: "We’re so excited to be back! We’ve got a bit of a change this year, a brand new judge on the panel!"
Bruno responded: "I am thrilled to be here, look at these girls, as he gestured over to fellow judges Amanda and Alesha.
"And my old friend Simon, what an honour it is to work with you, finally," he continued. "He’s teased me with this for years and years, I tell you. I’m thrilled to finally be here. I’m very emotional and I’m very, very nervous."
